“Jews are banned from this place!” – this poster text in a shop window illustrates, according to the state-wide documentation center, that antisemitism is becoming “more talkable” in Schleswig-Holstein.
An anti-Semitic poster is causing outrage in
Flensburg . The sign, which read “Jews are banned from here! Nothing personal, not even anti-Semitism, I just can’t stand you,” was hanging in the window of a shop on Duburger Straße in the Neustadt district. It has since been removed. Several media outlets, including the
The Schleswig-Holsteinische Zeitungsverlag (SHZ) reported on the case. The case has now caused outrage nationwide.
Shop owner: “I didn’t expect the public outcry”
Following the public outcry, the shopkeeper claimed the note was a private statement, triggered by his frustration with the events in the Gaza Strip. He claimed to have removed the sign yesterday evening on police orders. Today, he says he will not repeat the action in this form again, but he rejects the accusation of anti-Semitism.
Documentation Center on Antisemitism: “Israel-related hatred is becoming more talkable”
The Information and Documentation Center on Antisemitism in Schleswig-Holstein (LIDA-SH) recorded 588 incidents last year, a new record since its founding. In 2023, this figure was down to 120. Israel-related antisemitism, in particular, is becoming “more vocal,” according to Joshua Vogel, the director of the documentation center. No figures are yet available for 2025, but the negative trend—that much is already clear—will continue this year. The poster in Flensburg demonstrates “blatant hatred of Jews, which is very closely aligned with National Socialist practices,” Vogel said.
The Palestinian Association of Flensburg distanced itself from the poster in a statement on Instagram and emphasized that anti-Semitism can never be justified.
Commissioner for Jewish Life: Antisemitic hate speech hurts not only those affected
According to police, several criminal complaints were filed as early as Wednesday evening (September 17). The State Commissioner for Jewish Life in Schleswig-Holstein, Gerhard Ulrich, has also filed a complaint against the shopkeeper. The sign is reminiscent of Nazi rhetoric. “This is so appalling to me, considering the developments in our society,” Ulrich said. Hate speech like this not only hurts those affected, but is an attack on our democratic order as a whole.
Culture Minister Stenke: “frightening signal”
Minister of Culture Dorit Stenke also described the poster as an attack on human dignity and a “frightening signal.” Antisemitism should not be tolerated in any form, she emphasized in a press release. Therefore, schools are actively addressing the issue. Furthermore, the state government is working on an action plan against antisemitism, which is scheduled to take effect in 2026.
Public prosecutor’s office launches investigation
The Flensburg public prosecutor’s office initiated an investigation on Thursday afternoon (September 18) on suspicion of incitement to hatred. The proceedings are directed against the owner of the store. The poster has been seized as evidence, and the investigation is ongoing.
